Mimic diagram panel for railways having light piping



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m 1H il!" Jaim@ Filed June 26, M358 3,518,666 Mlitlilt DIAGRAM PANEL FRRAllUif/AYS HAVlNtG lLlGH'll llllllG Robert E. Heggestad,Groton-on-Hudson, NX., assigner' to lmfao Electronics line., New York,Nflt., a corporation of New York Filed .lune 26, i968, Ser. No. 740,198lint. lCl. G0813 5/00 US. El. 34h-330 ABSTRACT Olii THE DllSCLtUSlURlE Amimic diagram panel assembly for railway and other indicating systems inwhich representations of railway track networks or other layouts areselectively indicated by luminous points disposed on the panel at spacedpositions in a linear series along the various paths defining thenetwork. Each series of points is coupled by a group of light-conductivecables to a common light cell, such that when the cell is activated,light therefrom is distributed by the cables to the several points inthe associated series.

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This invention relates generally to line diagram panels, and moreparticularly to mimic diagram panels for railway and other indicatingsystems providing electricallyilluminated symbols and representations ofrailway track networks or other layouts.

Mimic panels are commonly employed in railway signal towers anddispatchers offices to afford the signalman or dispatcher with a diagramof the track layout controlled by him. The diagram shows the positioningof the track switches and signals as well as the status of each tracksection in the layout, that is, whether the track is occupied or clear.This mimic panel is usually mounted above the control panelor console.

In the conventional mimic diagram panel, the various tracks, switchesand cross-overs are indicated by suitablyshaped paths permanently markedon the panel and having a series of luminous points thereon. Eachluminous point is created by an individual light bulb mounted on orbehind the panel. In a complex diagram, the number of bulbs required todene the layout is considerable, and even with presently availableminiature bulbs, it is dithcult to crowd the necessary number of bulbson the panel. Moreover, the connecting and control circuits for thebulbs are elaborate, for if a given track section is indicated by, say,a series of ten luminous points therealong, the ten individual bulbsmust be connected in parallel to a control switch for simultaneousactivation,

ln order to make the luminous points on the display panel small and toplace them close together, and yet prevent crowding of the light bulbson the panel the prior Pat. 2,035,998 suggests theuseof'light-conducting rods which extend from individual light bulbsremote from the panel to bulls eyes or luminous points on the diagram.As pointed out in this patent, with available sizes of light units, whenthe bulls eyes are placed close together, there is insufficient room tomount the light units directly behind the bulls eyes. However, in thisprior arrangement,

there are as many light bulbs as there are bulls eyes, so that thenumber of bulbs is considerable and the associated circuits complex.

Accordingly, it is the main object of this invention to provide a mimicdiagram panel in which a single light cell remote from the panel acts torender luminous a series ot points along the diagram, whereby theseveral series of points on the diagram are illuminated by a relativelysmall number of cells.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to ,provide a mimicdiagram panel in which each series of points thereon is connected by agroup of fibelL-mgprtic ca- 6 Claims l Patented .inne Ertl, 15H70.Withvmore information in clearer form than can be supplied byindividual lights on the panel.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a mimic diagram panelwhich operates reliably and efficiently, and in which the associatedelectrical control connections are simplified, the power requirements ofthe panel being relatively low.

Briefly stated, these objects are accomplished in an assemblyconstituted by a diagram panel and a light distributor plate spaced fromthe rear of the diagram panel and covering an array of open light cells,each cell furnishing illumination to a related series ot' points in thediagram panel by means of a group of fiber optic cables eXtendingbetween these points and a set of apertures in said light distributorplate communicating with the cell.

For a better understanding of the invention, as well as other objectsand further features thereof, reference is made to the followingdetailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a mimic diagram panel in accordance withthe invention, the associated light cells and light-conductive cablesbeing housed in a cabinet;

FlG. 2 is an elevational view of the diagram panel;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the panel assembly removed from thecabinet, as seen from the rear of the diagram panel;

FlG. 4 is a sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line 4 4 inFIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one of the light cells;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the light bulbs in the cell andits associated color filter; and

FIG. 7 shows, in elevation, a portion of the light distributor plate.

Referring now to FIGS. l and 2, there is shown a mimic diagram panel it?on the front of a cabinet 1i. which houses the equipment associated withthe p'ancl. The mimic diagram illustrated is that of a railway tracklayout controlled from the signal tower or dispatchers office where thepanel is installed, so that the signalman, dispatcher or other' observeris able to see at a glance the track and signal conditions whichprevail, The diagram panel is preferably made of a Formica sheet bondedto a pressed-wood board, thus providing a solid, nonwarping compositionboard. The markings are engraved and painted on the Formica facing.

ln the simplified layout, which is illustrated merely by way of example,there are shown parallel tracks A and B, a cross-over track Cinterconnecting tracks A and B, with a siding D joining track B. Track Ais indicated by a series of spaced luminous points A1, A2, A3, A4, etc.;track B by a series of spaced luminous points B1, B2, B3, B4, etc.;cross-over C by a series of spaced luminous points C1, C2, ete.; andsiding D Vby a series of spaced luminous points D1, D2, etc.

Point S1 represents a stop signal while point S2 represents a clearsignal for track A in the east direction, whereas points S3 and S4represent stop and clear signals, respectively, for the west direction.Points S5 to S8 represent corresponding clear and stop signals for trackB, while points S9 and S10 represent stop and clear signals for sidingD.

ln practice, when a command is given to present a particular clearsignal, the related luminous point on the sstaasa j that these luminouspoints are then red. The speciiic manner in which the lights arecontrolled in response to remote switching Operations forms no part otthe present invention, which is principally concerned with illuminatinga selected series of points on the diagram from a common light cell.

As shown in FIG. 3, diagram panel 1i) is mounted in parallel relation tolight-distributor plate i3 by means ol' frame member l2, this assemblycomprising the diagram panel assembly. Immediately adjacent to the lightdistribl utor plate i3 is the light cell assembly consisting of an arrayof open light cells 14 supported on a mounting i panel 1S, and terminalpanel 23 with supporting frame t member Proper alignment between theopen ends of the light cells and the light distributor plate whichcovers the cells is provided by the proper mounting of each within thecabinet 11.

The diagram panel and light cell assemblies mount independently withinthe cabinet and either one may be removed for the replacement of lampbulbs, depending on whether access from front or rear is preferred.Terminal panel 23 is supported behind light cell mounting panel l5 byframe members 24, and suitable electrical terminals or plug connectors19 are mounted on this panel. Thus the removable light cell assemblycontains all electrical wiring for the various bulbs.

Cells 14 are formed by open rectangular metal cans, within which aredisposed one or more light bulbs lr6 received in sockets i7 which aresupported on mounting panel l5 and which secure the cell cans to saidpanel. The arrangement is such that all bulbs in the system areelectrically grounded on one side to mounting panel l5, which is metaland electrically conductive. Hence only a single lead 18 fed to arespective terminal 19 on terminal panel 23 behind the mounting panel 15is all that is necessary to supply current to each bulb.

As shown in FIG. 5, as -many as four bulbs may be disposed within eachcell 14, only one of which is ordinarily energized at a time. The mainpurposeof having several bulbs in a cell is to make possible a choice ofcolors, and while all of the incandescent bulbs produce white light, aparticular color may be imparted thereto by applying iiexiblethimble-shaped jackets 20 over the bulbs, as shown in FIG. 6. Thejackets are made of a translucent plastic i'ilter material of thedesired color. Where no more than two different colors are required, twobulbs in the same cell may be energized simultaneously to atlordadditional brilliance and redundancy ofthe light source.

While the several bulbs in the cell are not centered i therein, themetal interior thereof is highly reflective so that the cell is brightlyand uniformly illuminated with light having the color of whichever bulbis energized.

ln order to conduct light from an illuminated cell 14 to a series ofpoints in the diagram on the mimic panel, a group ot fiber optic cables21 is associated with each cell. As'skhvoviiimlflwclwhzemedd'0f thecables in each group is inserted in apertures 22 in light distributorplate 13, the other ends going into a series of apertures which arespaced along the track path A.

Light-distributor plate 13, as shown separately in FIG. 7, is providedwith several arrays of apertures 22, each array cooperating with thecasing of a cell 14. Thus the cluster of apertures which communicatewith a cell act as a light manifold, light from the associated cellbeing conducted by the cables inserted in these apertures to variouspoints on the diagram panel.

For example, it a particular track section is indicated by a series oftwelve spaced points in series, these points are all illuminated from asingle cell by extending twelve fiber optic cables from apertures 22 inthe distributor plate array associated with that cell to theserially-arranged twelve points. The twelve luminous points may be givena red color by energizing the bulb in the cll having a red ilter, ayellow color by energizing the bulb in the cell having a yellow filter,a green color by energizing the bulb in the cell having a green lilter,and a white color by energizing the lter-free bulb in the cell.

Thus if the total number of luminous points on the various tracksections is, say, one-hundred and sixty and ally sections have a seriesof sixteen points thereon, ten cells are sui'cient to illuminate all ofthese points. lt will be appreciated, however, that in practice, sometrack sections may have only two points, while others have ten or more,in which event, some cells will have more cables associated therewiththan others.

In the case of signals on the railway layout, these points are operatedindividually, rather than in parallel as with the series of luminouspoints indicating a track section. A. single light unit therefore of theproper color must be associated with each signal point. lt is notnecessary, however, to have full individual light cells for each signallight, for in this instance a cell may be provided with four lightunits, say, two red and two green, with partitions dividing the cellinto four distinct compartments, one for each light. A cable is thenused to couple each compartment with its related signal light point onthe panel. The four light units in the compart mentalized cell are thentotally independent from each other and selectively energized toactivate the desired signal point on the diagram panel.

The cables are standard fiber optic, flexible guides, such as thosemanufactured by Corning Glass Company, and consisting of a bundle of 225tine glass laments surrounded by a plastic jacket. Transmission of whitelight through such cables one foot in length, is about with polishedends, this being more than adequate for display purposes, in that thecables Vused in the assembly are all generally less than a foot inlength.

Theepridsiihewcglles are reerablLrnwounted in a ferrurilewsealedawittrcmeagepppryJ aftermvlnchfthe epoxy face is ground andpolished. This prevents lateral movement of the iibers within thebundles and serves `to seal out dirt and moisture. The ends are cementedinto the holes in display panel and in the distribution plate.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of mimicdiagram panel for railway and other indicating systems, it will beappreciated that many changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout, however, departing from the essential spirit of the inventionas defined in the annexed claims.

What l claim is:

l. A mimic diagram panel assembly for railway and other indicatingsystems, in which representations of track networks or other layouts areselectively indicated by luminous points disposed at spaced positions ina series along the various paths dening the network, said assemblycomprising:

(a) a diagram panel having a hole for each point in the several seriesentailed in the layout;

('b) a light cell for each series; and

(c) a group of light conductive cables extending between each cell andthe associated points in the related series to illuminate said points.

2. An assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each cell is providedwith a plurality of light bulbs producing light of different color, andmeans selectively to energize said bulbs.

3. An assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each cable isconstituted by a ilexible multi-strand fiberglass guide.

4t. An assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the ends oteach cableare surrounded by a ferrule and sealed in an epoxy whose face ispolished.

5` An assembly, as set forth in claim l, wherein the cells are open andare covered by a light distributor plate having an array of aperturesassociated with each cell, each group of cables being inserted inapertures of a given array.

6. A mimic diagram panel assembly for railway and other indicatingsystems, in which representations of track layouts are indicatedselectively by luminous points disposed at spaced positions in a seriesalong the various paths delining the layout, said assembly comprising:

(a) a diagram panel having a hole for each point in the several seriesentailed in the layout;

(b) a mounting diagram panel;

(el an array of open light cells supported on said mounting panel;

panel in parallel relation to said (d) a light distributor plateoverlying said array of cells, said plate having an array of aperturesassociated with each cell; and

(e) a group of flexible light-Conductive cables exlending between eachcell and an associated series of points in the diagram, one end of thecables being inserted in said apertures, the other in said holes.

References Cited 2,507,909 5/195() Kayseri 34th-380 HAROLD '1'. PIT'S,Primary Examiner US. Cl. XR.

